Code converting machines



Oct. 27, 1959 J. M. CUNNINGHAM cons CONVERTING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 14, 1955 mw/l f INVENTOR JAMES M. CUNNINGHAM ATTORNEY Oct. 27, 1959 Filed Sept. 14, 1955 CYCLE POINTS CAM 95 CAM 96 CAM 9T CAM 98 READ OUT DIGITS J. M. CUNNINGHAM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I RESTORE CAM ROTATION OF CAMS 2% 2 3 r 8 Q m T (A1 b b\ i G I la a a a a (C1 b j b b 10 Q Q\ 101 b\ 1 h f'\ l i I2 4 5 6 7 8 9 c E HH D lGlT READ 01h TT ME T+-1 FIG. 2

D\G|T A B c D O O O O O 1 O O O O 2 O O O O 3 O O O, O

4 O O O O 5 O O O O 6 O o o 0 FIG. 3

7 o 0 O o 8 o o 0 O 9 O O O O 0 REPRESENTS A HOLE o REPRESENTS NO HOLE INVENTOR.

JAMES M CUNNINGHAM ATTORNEY Oct. 27, 1959 J cuNNlNGHAM 2,910,534

CODE CONVERTING MACHINES Filed Sept. 14, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

JAMES M. CUNNINGHAM ATTORNEY United States Patent CODE CONVERTING MACHINES James M. Cunningham, Endicott, N.Y., assignor to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Application September 14, 1955, Serial No. 534,277

13 Claims. (Cl. 178-26) ing to the record holes sensed to partially complete the a circuit. Rotatable commutators having differentially disposed commutator spots and correlated brushes connected to the switches or contacts complete the output impulse circuit at digit impulse times 0-9. An example of this prior art construction is shown in the patent to Charles Campbell, No. 1,987,322. Such commutators with their wiping contacts have been objectionable due to their inefiiciency and the present invention is directed to a construction which positively closes some of the switches or contacts under control of the record holes, and the others also positively at differential digit times, the latter operation preferably by means of cams having the desired configurations.

According to the present invention, one or more of the four series connected contacts which are normally open are positively closed upon sensing the corresponding holes in the record, and a series of cams thereafter rotate to cause their configurations to positively close the remainder of the contacts at different digit times, thus finally corn pleting the impulse circuit.

Another and more specific object of the invention is to provide release members for a series of series connected normally open contacts which are actuated under control of the record holes to release related contacts for closure and to cause the remainder of the release members to be actuated by the cam configurations of associated cams to cause the related contacts to be closed to complete the impulse circuit at differential times in the rotation of the earns.

associated contacts and thus open the impulse circuit at the second impulse time.

In the present arrangement, whenever this condition obtains, the cam design is such that improper impulses will not be transmitted.

The inventive features for the accomplishment of these and other objects are shown herein in connection with an improved code converting mechanism which, briefly stated, includes a card analyzer adapted to sense the card holes of the record medium, such as a record card or tape and in accordance with the presence or absence of holes in the record medium transmit impulses to magnets which control a data storage setup device. This preferably consists of a rotatable drum having settable pawls or members which are rotated to actuated position upon the energization of the magnet.

The data storage device is placed near the digit impulse readout device which consists of a series of normally open switches or contacts which are retained normally open by release members and said release members by means of levers connected thereto are moved to actuated position by said pawls or members on the data storage device whereby in the read-in operation certain of the contacts are initially closed.

Further operating said release members is a series of supplemental levers which are actuated by cams having different configurations. For those contacts which are not initially closed by the settable pawl-s of the data storage device, said cams through the supplemental levers cause the movement of the release members to cause the remaining contacts to be closed to transmit a dilferentially timed impulse.

Associated with the release members for said contacts are latch members which retain the contacts which are initially closed under control of the data storage device closed. Reset cams release said latch members at the end of a cycle of operation in order that the contacts are again open at the normal starting cycle of operation.

Whenever the coded combination is such that the same cams will close the contacts which were not initially closed under control of the data storage device twice to thus improperly transmit a second digit impulse, then one of the cams associated with the initially closed contacts causes the related release member to be moved to open one of the initially closed contacts. This is effected by actuating the release member for the contacts in a special way to thereby open said contacts and prevent the transmission of an improper second impulse.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of Another object of the invention is to prevent the improper completion of the impulse circuit a second time when the code combination enables the same cams to close the remaining contacts twice. For example, in transmitting the digit impulse 0, contacts A and B are initially closed under control of the record holes and are retained closed, and cams C and D then close the C and D contacts to complete an impulse circuit at the 0 impulse time. Since, in the present arrangement, contacts A and B remain closed until the end of a cycle of operation, and

cams C and D again close the C and D contacts at the example, the principle of the invention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view showing in section the coordinated data storage device and translator, and also diagrammatically at the upper right the anlyzer with its electrical connection to the magnets of the data storage device.

Fig. 2 is a timing diagram.

Fig. 3 is a diagram of the code.

' Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the assembly of operating cams.

Fig. 5 is a View of the train of devices that control opening and closing of the contacts.

Fig. 6 is an electrical circuit showing illustratively the use of the output impulse derived from the translator.

Record medium The combinational code designations to be translated may comprise any suitable multiple unit code, such as, for example, the code shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 3 the black spots represent hole positions and the full circles the no-hole positions and accordingly digits -9 inclusive are represented by single or combinational holes in the four-unit code. For example, two holes at the A and B positions and no holes at either the C or D position represent the digit 0, while holes at the A and C positions and no holes at the B and D positions repre sent the digit 1. The digits 0-5 utilize two holes to designate their digital value, whereas for digits 6, 7, 8 and 9 only single holes are necessary. For example, the 6 digit is represented by a single hole at the D position and no holes at the A, B and C. Any other multiple unit code may be utilized and it is further immaterial whether the record medium is a perforated card, a tape or other form of record, and moreover other suitable designations may be utilized instead of holes, such as magnetized spots on a magnetic tape, provided, of course, that a suitable analyzer be employed. Thus, for perforations or holes flexible wire brushes, or pins may be used for determining the presence of holes, whereas if the designations are in a magnetic form magnetic pickup heads are provided. It is preferable but not essential that as a final result magnets be energized singly or in combination to store up the digit representations in the multiple code. The present showing, therefore, is merely by way of example to illustrate the principle of the invention.

The analyzer for a perforated tape 29 is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1 in which the tape 20 hearing the perforations is fed step by step by a pawl and ratchet device 21.

A plurality of brushes 22 insulated from each other are pressed down against the tape and in accordance with the presence or absence of holes in the column of the tape said brushes will selectively make contact with a contact plate 23 underneath the brushes. At reading time (see Fig. 2) an electrical impulse is directed to said contact plate 23 which thereby completes the circuit through each brush 22 passing through a hole and by a related wire 24 to a magnet 25, the four of which are selectively energized to store or set up coded representations to be translated. The analyzing circuits are simultaneously completed at reading time since the four brushes concurrently analyze the A, B, C and D code positions. After the data has been set up in a storage device the pawl and ratchet device 21 is operated to rotate a feeding roller 26 to feed the perforated tape rearwardly, thereby correlating the sensing brushes 22 with the next column of holes. While this is being done the previous data determined by the sensing brushes 22 is being translated by the translator to be presently described.

Data storage devices For the four-unit code four magnets 25 are provided for each order or column and obviously if more than one digit is to be designated on a tape record duplicate devices of that now being described are provided. To explain the invention it will be described only in connection with a single column or order.

Magnets 25 are supported by their respective U-shaped plates 30 supported by side frame plates to be described. The armature 32 of each magnet 25 is attracted against the action of a tensioned spring 31 and the free ends of the armature fit in slotted ends of a respective slide bar 33. Slide bars 33 are slidable in guide bars 34 and 35 and are obviously held in their upward position by means of the spring 31 connected to the armature 32 of the associated magnet. Magnets 25 may be arranged in an echelon manner or in a single plane with suitable connections to the row of spaced slide bars 33 so that the actuating ends 37 are in a row and each in the plane of a lug 45a of a respective storage pawl 45. Mounted loosely on a rod 40 is a rotatable drum formed of two side disks 41 which are inter-connected by four comb bars 42. The comb bars 42 are attached to the end disks 41, thereby providing a rigid drum loosely rotatable upon the rod 40. Each comb bar 42 is pro vided with a series of slots 43, one for each of the storage pawls through which slots a pivot rod 44 passes through or intersects. Mounted on the respective rod 44 is an array of setup or storage pawls 45, each being apertured so as to be pivoted about the rod 44 and adjacent each storage pawls is a conventional friction spring washer pressing the pawls against the side Wall of the slot to hold the pawl either in adjusted or normal position.

Each pawl 45 of a coplanar set of three is in the plane or path of the actuating or setting end 37 of the associated slide bar 33. When a magnet 25 is energized said slide bar 33 is depressed to bring its setting end 37 in the path of the lug 45a of a readout tab 46 of the pawl, which, as the drum rotates clockwise, will rock the pawl 45 counter-clockwise to a position shown by an adjusted pawl 45 ultimately passing by the setting end 37. In the counterclockwise rotation of each pawl, it will be noted that for pawl 45 the readout tab 46 has been extended out from the center of the rod 40 and the periphery of the rotatable drum, and in this position restoring tail 49 rests against the underside of the comb bar 42. It is understood, of course, that this adjusted position of any pawl 45 will be held by the friction spring washer.

The analysis of coded perforations on a tape and the rotation of the storage drum are so timed that the slide bars 33 will be set at such time that they are in the path of the storage pawls so as to cause data storage as the drum rotates. In the further rotation of the drum each set pawl is adapted to actuate a contact adjusting mechanism in a manner to be presently described. After this operation there is a continued rotation of the drum and those pawls which have been set will have their reset tails 49 in the path of a reset bar 51 secured to the stationary rod 40. Contact of said tail with the stationary reset bar 51 will cause its clockwise movement, thereby positively restoring the pawl to its normal position where it is held by its associated friction spring washer with the readout tab 46 now lying against a top portion of the comb bar 42.

After a pawl has been set, a little time ensues before said pawl actuates the contact operating mechanism to be presently described. This delay permits the actuator slide bars 33 to be restored to normal by deenergization of magnets 25 so that the designations in a subsequent column may be read out to again selectively set the slide bars 33 while a readout operation of the storage device is being effected. Any suitable driving means to drive the storage drum 41 in timed relationship with the other rotatable shafts may be provided.

Translator or code conversion means A combed or slotted block 60 (Fig. 1) is carried by a pair of brackets 61 fastened to a base plate 62. Secured to the'base plate 62 are parallel side frame plates 63 which support the pivot rod 40 for the data storage drum and said plates 63 also carry the U-shaped brackets 30 supporting magnets 25, as well as the guide bars 34 and 35 for the settable slide bars 33. V

The support block 60 is formed with a series of guide slots 65 extending about the four sides of the block and intersecting the slots 65 are three pivot rods 66,67 and 68. Also fitting in holes formed in the support block are three series of springs 69, 70, 71, each projecting into the related aligned slot 65.

Pivoted on the rod 66 is a series of arms 72, each of which moves in the related slot 65 and is latched in the normal position shown in Figs. 1 and 5 by the engagement of its foot 73 with a shoulder 74 of a latching bell crank 75 pivoted on the rod 67 and which bell crank 75 moves in the same slot 65 that the correlated arm 72 moves. The latching relationship is maintained by spring 69 acting on arm 72 which also positions the arm 72 so that a rounded cam end 77 is in a position for actuation by a readout tab 46 of a counterclockwise positioned pawl 45. The arm 72 and its cam end 77 are in the same plane as each of the three pawls 45 which are coplanar. The upper end of arm 72 has a rounded socket portion 78 received by a similarly formed semi-circular notch 79 of an arm 80 which is slidable in another portion of the slot 65 so that arm 80 is likewise in the same plane as associated arm 72. Said arm 8h comprises a contact actuating member in that in the normal position shown in Figs. 1 and 5 it holds a button 81 upwardly to retain contacts 82 open. Said contacts 82, of which there are four for each order or column, are mounted upon an insulating plate 33 which is aifixed to a metal plate 84 fastened to the top of the support block 60. When any button 81 drops downwardly in a manner to be explained, the related contacts 82 will be closed.

Arm 80 keeps button 81 in its upper position to retain contacts 82 open as long as a wedge-shaped end 87 of a lever 88 pivoted on rod 68 engages the left or right side of a wedge-shaped notch 90 in arm 30. However, when there is a relative movement of the arm 80 and lever 88 effected by either movement of arm 80 to the right slightly or lever-88 to the left slightly, said notch 90 will receive the wedge-shaped end 87, thereby permitting the resiliency of the top blade of contacts 82 to move the button 81 downwardly slightly to close contacts 82. Hence, it will be understood that closure of contacts 82 may be eifected when arm 80 is moved to the right when lever 88 is immobile and also when lever 88 is rocked counterclockwise when arm 80 is immobile. In either of these two relative movements contacts 82 will be closed for a reason to be presently described.

The first mode of operation is effected whenever a readout tab 46 of a pawl such as 45 moves past the rounded cam end 77 of an arm 72 in the clockwise rotation of the drum. Upon engagement with said cam end 77 arm 72 will be rocked clockwise, compressing spring 69 and moving latch foot 73 out of engagement with shoulder 74 of latching bell crank 75, foot 73 thereupon resting against the extremity of the horizontal arm of the latching bell crank 75 which has now been rocked slightly clockwise. Rocking of the arm 72 clockwise thereby positions arm 80 slightly to the right, coordinating notch 90 with the wedge-shaped end 87 of lever 88 which is now stationary to cause, in the manner just described, the closure of contacts 82. Obviously, the latching of said arm 72 will retain arm 89 in its righthand position, whereby contacts 82 will remain closed until the end of a readout operation. Summarizing, the coded data set up in the storage drum by the counterclockwise rotation of one or more pawls to the position shown by pawl 45 will be transferred to the contact setting mechanism in order that one or more of said contacts 82 are closed. In the circuit diagram of Fig. 6 the four contacts 82 for each order or column are connected inseries and upon the presence of perforations in the index point positions A, B, C and D the corresponding contacts 82 also designated A, B, C and D will be closed. For representing the digital positions O-9, one or two of these contacts will be closed and the remainder will be closed in a manner to be presently described to cause a digital impulse to be read out to a punch magnet 91.

It will also be observed with regard to the cooperating structure of each order or column that members 72, 80, 75, and 88 are guided in their movements by the same slot 65, retaining all parts of the same order coplanar and cooperating with each other. The integral portions of block 60 between the slots 65 also space these members apart from each other to a suitable dimension.

The closure of the remaining contacts 82, that is to say, those that have not been closed due to the presence of holes at corresponding index point positions, is eifected at digit impulse times 0-9 (see Fig. 2) by a series of four earns 95, 96, 97 and 98, the configurations of which are shown in detail in Figs. 2 and 4. Said cams have a cam rise portion a and a dwell portion b identified in the timing diagram of Fig. 2 to show, in the operation of the machine, the time at which contacts 82 are closed by the cam rise portions. Said cams are attached to a shaft 99 which rotates in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 1 and 5 and they rotate synchronously with the storage drum in order that after the contacts 82 have been selectively closed under control of the counterclockwise rotated pawls 45 of the storage drum the cams will then be ready to close as many of the contacts 82 as is necessary to emit a differentially timed impulse. At the read time when contacts 82 are closed under control of the storage drum, levers 88 are urged by their respective springs 71 to cause their extensions 1% to bear against a dwell portion a of the related cam, holding the lever 88 immobile. This same stationary position obtains for all of the levers 88.

After setting certain contacts 82 to closed position the rotation of shaft 99 rotates cams -98 and levers 88 take positions in accordance with the dwell or cam rise portions of the cams so that at digital positions ()--9 certain cams close the remaining contacts 82 which were not closed, due to the absence of corresponding holes. For example, since 0 is represented by holes at the A and B positions, A and B contacts 82 are initially closed and at the 0 impulse time cams 97 and 98 cause their cam rise to close the C and D contacts 82, completing an obvious circuit shown in Fig. 6 to punch magnet 91. The same principle of operation follows for other digits. For example, digit 3 is represented by holes at the B and 1) index point positions reflecting the closure of B and D contacts 82. As the cams rotate earns 95 and 97 close the remaining A and C contacts 82 at the 3 impulse time. Thus, a 3 differentially timed impulse is transmitted to the punch magnet 91., When a digit is represented by a single hole, such as 6, 7, 8 and 9, then only one of the contacts 82 would be closed and three cams would then close at a differential time the other three contacts 82 to complete the impulse circuit.

The principle of operation in the preferred embodiment can be utilized for different codes, it being only necessary to design suitable cam configurations which will cause the series circuit to be completed at a digital impulse readout time.

It should be noted for those contacts 82 which are not closed at readout time by certain cams the related levers 88 follow the cam rise or dwell portion of the cams, being urged to do so by spring '71, so that the wedge-shaped end 87 moves in and out of notch 90 without affecting the position of the related arm 72 which remains in normal position by virtue of the relatively stronger spring 69 holding arm 72 latched.

Those arms 72 which have been held in rocked position by the latching bell cranks 75 are released at the end of the readout periodtthat is, after the 9 impulse time by a related reset cam 165. Saidcam has an a cam rise engaging a projection 106 of the latching bell crank 75. Arms 72 then restore to normal and related contacts 82 open. A reset cam is provided for each latching bell crank 75, as shown in Fig. 4.

An important feature of the invention is to provide means to open certain contacts 82 which have been initially closed, due to the presence of holes, for reasons now to be explained. When one of these contacts 82 has been closed due to fitting of pointed end 87 in the related wedge-shaped notch 90, a cam rise a of the related cam will rock lever 88 to move it out of the notch (see dotted position of Fig. 5) and cam arm 89 upwardly to positively open contacts 82 or subsequently close them when extension 1% follows the descending part of the cam to the dwell portion.

It should be noted that at reading time, certain contacts 82 are initially closed in accordance with the combination of holes and remain closed until the cam rise or [2 portions of the corresponding cams open them. The opening of such contacts is effected by the related cams in order to prevent a transmission of a second improper impulse. For example, since the digit is represented by holes at both the A and B positions, the related A and B contacts 82 are initially closed and at the 0 impulse time cams C and Dv (97 and 98) will close the remaining C and D contacts 82, thereby transmitting an impulse at the 0 impulse time. Now, if the A and B contacts 82 should remain closed it is obvious from Fig. 2 that if no other means was provided to prevent a misoperation cams C and D (97 and 98) would again close at the 7 impulse time to emit a first improper impulse, and moreover since C and D cams close contacts C and D again at the 9 impulse time a second improper impulse would be emitted. This is effectively prevented by certain of the cams which open one of the contacts initially closed under control of the record holes.

The means for effectively preventing the improper impulses when digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and are designated is explained as follows and best shown by Fig. 2.

For the digit 0, A and B contacts 82 are initially closed and at the 7 readout time cams C and D close C and D contacts 82 to again complete the circuit but said circuit is opened by opening of A contacts 82 effected by the A cam at the 7 readout time (see Fig. 2). Also at the 9 readout time cams C and D again close the C and D contacts 82 but cam B opens the initially closed B contacts 82 to prevent the emission of a second impulse.

For the 1 digit, holes at the A and C positions close the related A and C contacts 82 and cams B and D close their B and D contacts 82 to transmit an impulse at the 1 digit readout time. To prevent improper transmission of an impulse at the 8 time when cams B and D again close, the A cam will open the related A contacts 82 (see Fig. 2).

For the 2 digit A and D contacts 82 are initially closed and cams B and C complete the circuit at the 2 readout time which is likewise true at 6 and 9 readout time. At the 6 readout time the A cam opens A contacts 82, and at the 9 readout time the D cam will open D contacts 82.

For the 3 digit, when B and D contacts 82 are initially closed, cams A and C again attempt to complete the readout circuit at the 6 readout time, were it not for the fact that the B cam would open B contacts 82.

For the 4 digit, B and C contacts 82 are initially closed and cams A and D close A and D contacts 82 at the 4 readout time. Cams A and D again close A and D contacts 82 at the 7 and 8 readout times. However, at the 7 readout time cam C opens the C contacts 82, and at the 8 readout time the B cam opens B contacts 82, thus preventing improper readout impulses.

For the 5 digit C and D contacts 82 are initially closed and cams A and B close A and B contacts 82 at the 5 readout time, which also happens at the 6 and 8 readout times. At the 6 readout time cam C opens the contacts 82 to prevent the improper transmission of an impulse at 6 readout time, and cam D likewise opens the D contacts 82 to prevent the improper transmission of an impulse at the 8 readout time.

The above is believed to fully describe the manner in which improper readout impulses are effectively prevented by causing the cams related to initially closed contacts to shift the lever 88 and open these contacts 82, even though other cams close the remaining contacts 82 more than once, for other digits.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is clamied is:

1. In a machine for converting multiple unit coded data to differentially timed electrical impulses, a plurality of normally open contacts in series in an output impulse circuit, means for initially closing certain contacts in combination in accordance with the units of the coded data and retaining said certain contacts closed, means comprising a series of rotatable cams having configurations for mechanically closing other contacts complementing those initially closed to thereby complete said impulse circuit at different times, and means whereby the cam for initially closed contacts opens said initially closed contacts at a time when the cams again close said other contacts, to thereby open the output circuit to prevent transmission of a false impulse.

2. In a machine for converting multiple unit coded data to differentially timed electrical impulses, a plurality of normally open contacts in series in an output impulse circuit, means for initially closing one or a plurality of certain contacts in combination in accordance with the units of the coded data and retaining said cer tain contacts closed, means comprising a series of rotatable cams having configurations for mechanically closing other contacts complementing those initially closed to complete said impulse circuit at different times, and means whereby at least one of the cams associated with a plurality of initially closed contacts opens the associated contacts at a time when the cams again close said other contacts, to thereby open the impulse circuit to prevent transmission of a false impulse.

3. In a machine for converting designations in a multiple unit code to a single unit code comprising, an output impulse circuit including a plurality of normally open series-connected contacts, certain of which are initially closed, and the others are closed during output impulse times, means for sensing multiple unit coded designations on a record, means under control of said sensing means for effecting the initial closure of contacts corresponding to the units of the designation sensed, and further means for closing said contacts comprising a series of rotatable cams having predetermined configurations arranged to mechanically cause the closure of said other contacts at different times in their cycle of rotation, whereby closure of said other contacts completes the output impulse circuit.

4. In a machine for converting designations in a multiple unit code to a single unit code comprising an output impulse circuit including a plurality of normally open series-connected contacts, certain of which are initially closed, and others are closed during output impulse times, means for sensing multiple unit coded designations on a record, means under control of said sensing means for effecting the initial closure of said contacts corresponding to the units of the designation sensed, further means for closing said contacts comprising a series of rotatable cams having predetermined configurations arranged to mechanically cause the closure of said other contacts at different times in their cycle of rotation, Whereby closure of said other contacts completes the output impulse circuit, and means whereby at least one of the cams for the initially closed contacts opens the initially closed contact at a time when the cams again close said other contacts, to thereby open the impulse circuit to prevent transmission of a false output impulse.

5. In a machine for converting designations in a fourunit code to single impulses comprising, an output impulse circuit including four normally open series-connected contacts, of which two are initially closed and the other two are closed during output impulse times, means for sensing said four-unit coded designations on a record, means under control of said sensing means for effecting the initial closure of two of said contacts corresponding to the units of the designation sensed, further means for closing the other two of said contacts comprising a series of rotatable cams having predetermined configurations arranged to mechanically cause the closure of the other two contacts concurrently at different times dependent upon the contacts initially closed, whereby closure of said other two contacts completes the output impulse circuit, and means whereby at least one of the cams opens one of the two initially closed contacts at a time when two of the cams again concurrently close the other two contacts, whereby the output impulse circuit is opened to prevent transmission of a false impulse.

6. A contact operating device for converting multiple unit coded designations to single impulses comprising a plurality of normally open series-connected contacts in an output impulse circuit, a plurality of magnets receiving energizing impulses in accordance with the units of a designation, means holding each of said contacts normally open, means actuated by each energized magnet to disable said holding means to initially close one or more contacts, and means comprising a plurality of rotatable cams having configurations arranged to disable the holding means of the other contacts at difierent times during their rotation in accordance with the initially closed contacts, whereby the closure of the other contacts completes the output impulse circuit at different times.

7. A contact operating device for converting multiple unit coded designations to single impulses comprising a plurality of normally open series-connected contacts in an output impulse circuit, a plurality of magnets receiving energizing impulses in accordance with the units of a designation, means holding each of said contacts normally open, and a plurality of trains of devices to disable said holding means comprising one train of devices under control of each energized magnet to initially close one or more contacts, and a second train of devices including a plurality of rotatable cams having configurations arranged to disable the holding means of the other contacts at different times during their rotation, whereby the closure of the other contacts completes the output impulse circuit at different times.

8. A contact operating device for converting multiple unit coded designations to single impulses comprising a plurality of normally open series-connected contacts in an output impulse circuit, a plurality of magnets receiving energizing impulses in accordance with the units of a designation, means holding each of said contacts normally open, a plurality of trains of devices to disable said holding means comprising one train of devices under control of each energized magnet to initially close one or more contacts, and a second train of devices including a plurality of rotatable cams having configurations arranged to disable the holding means of the other contacts at different times during their rotation, whereby the closure of the other contacts completes the output impulse circuit at diiferent times, and means whereby at least one of the cams associated with initially closed contacts opens said contacts at a time when the cams again disable the holding means for said other contacts, to thereby open the output impulse circuit to prevent transmission of a false impulse.

9. A contact operating device for converting multiple unit coded designations to single impulses comprising a plurality of normally open series-connected contacts in an output impulse circuit, a plurality of magnets receiving energizing impulses in accordance with the units of a designation, means holding each of said contacts normally open, and a plurality of trains of devices todisable 6 more contacts, and a second train of devices including a plurality of rotatable cams having configurations arranged to disable the holding means of the other contacts at different times during their rotation and dependent for operation upon the nonoperation of said first train of devices, whereby the closure of the other contacts completes the output impulse circuit at different times.

10. A contact operating device for converting multiple unit coded designations to single impulses comprising a plurality of normally open series-connected contacts in an output impulse circuit, a plurality of magnets receiving energizing impulses in accordance with the units of a designation, an arm holding each of said contacts normally open and having a notch, a lever supporting said arm to hold the contacts opened, and engageable with the notch to enable the contacts to close, and said arm adapted to be rocked to cause its notch to be engaged by the lever to enable the contacts to close, means actuated by each energized magnet to rock an arm to cause said lever to engage the notch to initially close one or more contacts, and means comprising a plurality of rotatable cams having configurations arranged to rock the levers to engage said notches and enable other contacts to be closed at different times during their rotation, whereby the closure of the other contacts completes the output impulse circuit at different times.

11. The combination set forth in claim 10 and including, means whereby at least one of the cams for the contacts closed by the rocking of an arm by the energization of a magnet operates the related lever to move said lever out of the notch to open said contacts.

12. A contact operating device for converting multiple unit coded designations to single impulses comprising a plurality of normally open series-connected contacts in an output impulse circuit, a plurality of magnets receiving energizing impulses in accordance with the units of a designation, an arm holding each of said contacts normally open, and having a notch, a lever supporting said arm to hold the contacts opened, and engageable with the notch to enable the contacts to close, and said arm adapted to be rocked to cause its notch to be engaged by the lever to enable the contacts to close, means actuated by each energized magnet to rock an arm to cause said lever to engage the notch to initially close one or more contacts, means for latching each arm in rocked position to retain the contacts closed, means comprising a plurality of rotatable cams having configurations arranged to rock the levers to engage said notches of the unlatched arms and enable other contacts to be closed at different times during their rotation, whereby the closure of the other contacts completes the output impulse circuit at dif ferent times, and means for disabling the latching means at the termination of the contact closing operation of said cams.

13. The combination set forth in claim 12 and including, means whereby at least one of the cams for the contacts closed by the rocking of an arm by the energization of a magnet operates the related lever to move said lever out of the notch to open said contacts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,578,185 Halvorsen Dec. 11, 1951 2,706,079 Connolly Apr. 12, 1955 2,765,038 Rhodes Oct. 2, 1956 

